Can I take a quick second to write a note concerning fabric design? I'm not sure if it is because I have my "How do you Design fabric" link on the sidebar.. (I wrote this to address this FAQ, but it seems to be getting worse rather than better..)
I get about 4 emails a day from people requesting info on how to become a fabric designer. I'm so sorry, but these emails have to go unanswered. I feel like a wench letting contacts flow away without a response, really I do. But there are a few reasons I can't answer these.
1) It would take a LOT of time to teach you how "I" design fabric.
2) The way "I" design isn't standard. Every designer I know has a different process.
3) It isn't something that can be taught through email.
4) Even if it was something that could be taught through email, I really can't take that time (see #1) to teach to you basically become.. my competition.
Several of my fellow designers are dear, dear friends. But honestly, we are each others competition. Sarah and I frequently talk design, and design methods etc etc.. show each other what we are working on. One day , in the middle of one of these design phone call chats, I said to her.. "you know we are really helping each other but we're actually competition right?" And she gasped and said something like, "NO, we're not!!" And then we laughed, and agreed that, yes - we are. But we don't care and it doesn't get in the way of our friendship.. but.. there you are. Things are what they are.
5) I really have no say in who becomes a Michael Miller designer.. I'm just a licensed designer who loves working with the company. I'm not the creative director for the company.. (This really could be number ONE.. but "time" won out in the end.)
Hopefully this doesn't come off as snarky or rude.. if I could help make everyones wishes and dreams come true with the wave of a wand, I really would. But I can't, and am still working to make my own happen.
My best advice to you if you are considering design, do your research. Don't worry about the money you will make (If you want to get into it for the money, do something else..) Don't spend time researching the best equipment for the job.. just start drawing. That's how it happened for me. Don't worry about digitizing and repeat and color and theory and mills and contracts.. Just pick up that pencil. The rest will just come into place if it is meant to be.
xo
Sandi
For more information please go to: Portabellopixie Boutique